Onoh rejects South Africa’s $18.5m repatriation bill

Former Nigerian House of Assembly member Denge Josef Onoh has rejected a reported demand from South Africa for Nigeria to reimburse approximately R292 million ($18.5 million) in expenses allegedly incurred during immigration enforcement operations. Onoh, speaking from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, stated that the demand requires diplomatic and legal review, asserting that host countries' immigration-related costs should not automatically fall on other sovereign governments.

South Africa reportedly approached Nigeria, Malawi, and Ethiopia regarding expenses for accommodation, transportation, and repatriation of foreign nationals. Onoh urged Nigeria to formally seek clarification from South Africa on the legal and diplomatic foundation for this reimbursement request. He emphasized that a host country's obligations to migrants should align with international and regional agreements.

Furthermore, Onoh called for a dialogue concerning the treatment of African migrants and businesses in South Africa, especially for those who have suffered losses during unrest. He proposed that Nigeria, along with other affected nations, should establish the scale of verifiable economic losses through documented evidence and established legal procedures. Onoh suggested that Nigeria could use diplomatic channels to address concerns about the welfare and business interests of its nationals in South Africa.

Onoh also advocated for coordinated consultations among Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, and other affected countries to form a unified stance on the repatriation expenses. Recalling Nigeria's significant historical support for South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, he argued that this contribution should be a factor in assessing current bilateral relations. He noted Nigeria's substantial financial, diplomatic, and material commitment to the anti-apartheid campaign between 1960 and 1994.

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